WSBK: Jonathan Rea signs new two-year Kawasaki deal

Rea clinched the title after dominating the series last season the Ninja ZX-10R to become Northern Ireland’s first world champion since Joey Dunlop and Brian in 1986.

The Ballyclare man, who currently leads the championship ahead of this weekend’s sixth round at Sepang in Malaysia, said it made ‘perfect sense’ to renew his contract with the manufacturer.

“I am so happy to extend this partnership with the Kawasaki Racing Team and continue the great relationship I have with all the Kawasaki engineers and fans,” Rea said.

“It is clear that our objectives and way of working are very well matched so it makes perfect sense to extend this for two more seasons. With all the incredible memories we have made so far and are now creating, I am 100 per-cent confident that we will enjoy working together and develop the Ninja ZX-10R into the future,” he added.

“I would like to thank Kawasaki and all the KRT staff for their full support and belief in my potential. With this in mind I am now even more focused than ever to win the World SBK Championship in 2016 to make it back to back wins.”

Kenji Tomida, President of Kawasaki’s Motorcycle and Engineering Company, said he was delighted to secure the Ulsterman’s services for at least another two years.

“We were delighted to host the recent visit to KHI for 2015 World Superbike Champion, Jonathan Rea. Our Ninja brand has been further enriched with the launch of the new Ninja ZX-10R on which Jonathan has already had much success this year,”

said Tomida.

“The whole Kawasaki family are understandably delighted that he has extended his relationship with the Kawasaki Racing Team and we wish him success both now and in the future.”

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, added: “We have now two great riders in KRT. Two World Champions and the goal is to keep them for the next two years.

“Rea is an experienced rider with a young spirit and big motivation, open to learning and improving race-by-race. This gives us even greater potential to have an even better rider in two years’ time.

“His big credit in this KRT project is to give us the pressure to give the best to him,” he added.

“I know clearly that the mechanics, crew, technicians, team staff and all KHI engineers will do our best to cover his expectations.”